A New Experience in Present Truth
By Sophie M. Crosby
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: While seriously meditating in regard to the duty of Christians, I am forcibly reminded that excuses will avail us nothing when Jesus, our Redeemer, comes to make up his jewels. Oh! that I may be one of that number, is my prayer. I rejoice in the light of present truth. I praise my Heavenly Father that he sent his messengers this way, and that my ears have been permitted to hear the third angel's message. About nineteen months since, Brn. Waggoner and Cornell came here with the tent. Hearing that there were going to be Advent meetings held, my curiosity was somewhat excited, and I resolved to go and hear them, notwithstanding my mind was already biased, from the manner in which I had already heard Adventists spoken of. When I approached the tent, Sunday morning, having left my Baptist church to gratify my curiosity, for I had no idea of receiving any benefit, it was with diffidence that I entered; but once in, my attention was called to the prophecies, and I became much interested in the subjects brought from the word of God. The Bible seemed like a new book, and I could but exclaim, The Lord being my helper, I will hear them through; which I did, with the exception of two or three discourses. When the subject of the Sabbath was presented, my heart rose in rebellion. The same with the immortality question, but the more I heard, the more I was convinced of the truthfulness of the same; and I feel to praise God that he gave me a heart to receive these truths—I could not reject them. A monitor seemed to stand at my side saying, If ye willfully sin after ye have received the light, there remains no more sacrifice for sin. Since then I have been striving to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, notwithstanding the opposition I have had to meet from near friends, even to being disowned by my father whom I dearly loved; but I felt to exclaim, If God be for us, it is more than they that be against us; and again, Our light afflictions work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Truly such promises are enough to stimulate us to activity in the cause of our blessed Redeemer. Pray for me, dear brethren and sisters, that I may prove faithful, overcome all my sins and with you stand on Mount Zion. Sophie M. Crosby.